Heather Shorten, founder and executive director of Pompe Alliance, shares practical tips for addressing disappointing medical care.
Transcript
So I always say you can utilize the ombudsman’s office at the hospital where you receive your treatment. You can find the ombudsman on the hospital website and call or send an email saying you have some concerns about your care.
I did that once when trying to get an appointment with my neurologist, and shortly after I sent the email to the ombudsman, I got a call from my neurologist and they got me in.
I also say, if your doctor has a nurse that they work closely with, to utilize the nurse as well. While the doctor might say, “I don’t have time to talk to you on the phone or to answer an email,” in my experience, the nurses usually are able to find some time to help patients and address some of those needs.
So I always say utilize nurses, too, because they may be more likely to help with some of your questions and concerns than the doctor is.
